Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) — Complete Business Guide 2026
DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority) is a premium UAE free zone located adjacent to Dubai International Airport (DXB). Here is the complete 2026 business guide.
In this guide:
DAFZA at a Glance
- Location: Dubai International Airport (DXB); next to Terminal 2
- Established: 1996
- Focus: Aviation; air freight; logistics; high-value manufacturing; technology
- Key stat: 1,900+ companies from 100+ countries
DAFZA Business Types
- Aviation and aerospace: MRO; aircraft parts; aviation support services
- Technology: IT; telecoms; electronics
- Logistics: Air cargo; freight forwarding; supply chain
- Healthcare: Pharma; medical devices (air-freight dependent)
- Professional services: Consulting; management
DAFZA Costs (2026)
- Trade licence: AED 25,000-40,000/year (premium vs other free zones)
- Virtual office: AED 15,000-20,000/year
- Physical office: AED 200-400/sq.ft/year (premium)
- Warehouse: From AED 80/sq.ft/year
DAFZA Strengths
- DXB access: Direct airside access; air cargo operations directly from free zone
- Customs: Customs bonded warehousing; duty-free import and re-export
- Prestige: One of UAE’s most prestigious free zones; international companies
DAFZA Weaknesses
- Cost: One of the most expensive UAE free zones; not budget-friendly
- Access: Non-airside areas still need DXB airside pass; additional bureaucracy